Taliban's Muted Response Draws Attention

KABUL—When news of Osama bin Laden's demise ricocheted around the world, there was conspicuous silence from a crucial voice: Afghanistan's Taliban, his erstwhile host and protector.

While Islamist groups in Gaza and Egypt quickly came out to praise al Qaeda's founder and condemn his killing, the Taliban's top leadership kept quiet, summoning key commanders to their sanctuaries in Pakistan for urgent consultations.